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Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder News: Outrage over rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has escalated, leading to a shutdown of hospital services across India. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest body representing medical professionals in India, has declared a nationwide strike commencing at 6 am on Saturday, August 17 and concluding at 6 am on Sunday, August 18. This strike is anticipated to be one of the largest in a decade, with closures impacting most hospital departments.

The protests arise from the tragic incident on August 9, involving a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. As a result, the medical community across the country is uniting in demonstrations and strikes.

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What is open and closed during the nationwide doctors' strike?

The IMA has confirmed that the strike will begin at 6 am on August 17 and end at 6 am on August 18.

Most hospital departments will be closed for the duration of the weekend. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries will not take place.

Essential services will remain available, ensuring that emergency care and critical treatments continue as normal.

Casualty services will be operational to address any urgent medical needs that may arise.

The strike will impact all sectors where modern medicine practitioners are employed, including both public and private hospitals.

Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder: Support From Medical Fraternity Across India

The Resident Doctors Association at Government Medical College, Amritsar, has suspended all non-essential and elective services, including OPDs, operating theatres, and wards, effective from August 16 until further notice.

In Delhi, various Resident Doctors' Associations plan a joint protest march beginning at 2 pm on August 16 from Nirman Bhavan.

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The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) will organise a candlelight vigil at India Gate at 5 pm on August 16, commemorating the victim.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) is holding a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on August 16 in response to the tragedy.

In Siliguri, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) has initiated a 12-hour general strike on August 16, resulting in significant disruptions and shop closures since the previous evening.